Former leading New Zealand publisher and bookseller, and widely experienced judge of both the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Montana New Zealand Book Awards, talks about what he is currently reading, what impresses him and what doesn't, along with chat about the international English language book scene, and links to sites of interest to booklovers.

The Astrid
Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the largest award for children’s
and young adult literature, which it aims to promote worldwide. An expert
jury selects the laureate(s) from candidates nominated by institutions and
organisations all over the world.

Wolf Erlbruch
described by the jury

The jury says: Wolf Erlbruch makes
existential questions accessible and manageable for readers of all ages. With
humour and warmth deeply rooted in humanist ideals, his work presents the
universe on our scale. He is a master of the illustrator’s art who honours
tradition whilst opening new creative doors. Wolf Erlbruch is a careful and
caring visionary.

Wolf Erlbruch
often embarks on existential journeys, posing important questions about the
meaning of life and death with both humour and clarity. Duck, Death and the
Tulip (2008), a tender story in which little Duck gets a visit from Death,
has been hailed as a modern classic and often described as the most beautiful
book ever published about death. A simple and refined meditation on the
nature of life and the omnipresence of death, it speaks to children and
adults alike."

Wolf Erlbruch has received numerous awards, including the Deutscher
Jugendliteraturpreis and the Hans
Christian Andersen Award for his complete
works.

The
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award will be presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess
Victoria in a ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on 29 May 2017.